Scurlock v. Penthouse International Entertainment Consultants IEC

Filing 3

ORDER, granting 2 MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis filed by Charles Scurlock. Signed by Judge J. Phil Gilbert on 4/2/2015. (jdh)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS CHARLES SCURLOCK, Plaintiff, v. Case No. 15-cv-338 JPG/DGW PENTHOUSE INTERNATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT CONSULTANTS IEC, Defendant. MEMORANDUM AND ORDER This matter comes before the Court on plaintiff’s motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (Doc. 2). A federal court may permit an indigent party to proceed without pre-payment of fees. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1). Nevertheless, a court can deny a qualified plaintiff leave to file in forma pauperis or can dismiss a case if the action is clearly frivolous or malicious. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i). The test for determining if an action is frivolous or without merit is whether the plaintiff can make a rational argument on the law or facts in support of the claim. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989); Corgain v. Miller, 708 F.2d 1241, 1247 (7th Cir. 1983). When assessing a motion to proceed in forma pauperis, a district court should inquire into the merits of the plaintiff’s claims, and if the court finds them to be frivolous, it should deny leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Lucien v. Roegner, 682 F.2d 625, 626 (7th Cir. 1982). The Court is satisfied from plaintiff’s affidavit that he is indigent. Furthermore, the Court does not find anything in the file to indicate that this action is frivolous or malicious. Therefore, the Court GRANTS the motion to proceed in forma pauperis without prepayment of fees and costs (Doc. 2). The Court notes, however, that should it become apparent that the action is frivolous or malicious at any time in the future, it may dismiss the case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i). IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED: April 2, 2015 s/J. Phil Gilbert J. PHIL GILBERT DISTRICT JUDGE

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